LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





DDDDSDfiEim 











* rS* -vV^ ♦ f(VV S» A '^^o c.^ ♦ €3iS0i • ^ 







•^o 



' o. 









EULO GIUM, 



OK 



COL. WILLIAM A. TRIMBLE, 



DELIVERED 



BY JAMES HAMILTON, ESQ. 



* 



FEBRUARY 2d^ 1822, 



BEFORE THE 



UNION PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 



OF 



mCKINSON COLLEGE, 



Published by order of the Society. 



CARLISLE : 

fUm^ED BT GEORGE PailLJPS> 

1822. 



phoceedings of congress. 

IN SENATE. 

Thursday, December 13, 1821, 

»*' Mr. Ruej^Ies announced the death of the Hon. 
Wilimm A. Trimble^ a Senator from Ohio. 
Whereupon, 

" On motion oi Mr. Talbot, it was ordered, that 
a committee be appointed to superintend the Fune- 
ral ; And Messrs. Barbour, Talbot, Thomas, 
Lowrie and Noble, v.er^appointed. 

'* On motion of Mr. Talbot, the Senate resolved 
to put on mourning for thirty days, for the loss of 
their late member — and 

*' On Motion of Mr. Barbour, the Senate then 
adjourned," 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

'* After prayers had been oSered, by the Rev. 
Mr. Ryiand, the Journal of yesterday was read, when 
a message was received from the Senate, annoimc- 
ingthe decease of the Hoiiorable William A. Trim- 
ble, late a meniber of that body, from the State of 
Ohio. 

*' Mr. Campbell of Ohio, moved to dispense 
with the order of business in this House, which was 
agreed to. 

*' On motion of Mr. Campbell, it was futdier 

'Resolved unanimouslv, 1 hat this House will 
attend the Funer si of the Honorable William A. 
Trimble^ late a member of the Senate, from the State 
of vJhio, to-morrow at 12 o'clock, and as a testi- 
mony of respect for the memory of the deceased, 
will go into mourning, and wear crape for thirty days, 

' ' On motion of Mr. Edwards, the House then 
adjourned. 



e 



■ 7. A \- ■■^* 



FUNERAL OF COLONEL TRLMBLE. 



At half past ten o'clock, the Committee of Ar- 
rangement, Pall Bearers, Mourners, and Marine 
Corps, attended at Mrs. Peyton's Boarding House, 
the iate residence of the deceased, and the corpse 
was removed, in charge of the Committee ofAr- 
ranG:cment, thence to the Senate Chamber. On 
arriving there it was deposited in the body oi the 
Chamber the Senate occupying their seats, and the 
President of the Senate in the chair. Soon after 
which, the House of Retresentatives came 
in, attended by their Speaker and Clerk, the former 
of whom was invited to a seat by the side of the 
President. An impressive exhortation was then 
pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Ryland, who availed 
himself of the occasion, stroni2:lv to inculcate the ne- 
cessity of preparation, whilst in health, for that end 
to which ail must sooner or later come, and for the 
hereafter, which is bevond it. He concluded by 
prayer, in which all present joined. 

After this, the Funeral Procession moved from 
the Capitol, headed by the Marine Corps, comman- 
ded by Colonel Henderson, with reversed arms, and 
solemn music. The pall bearers were Mr. Johnson 
of Kentucky, Mr. Chandler, Mr Williams of Ten. 
Mrw Taylor, Mr. Benton," and Mr. Stokes. 'Ihe 
surviving Senator, and the Representatives from the 
Slate of Ohio, were the mourners ; and most of 
the members of both Houses, besides the Secre- 
taries of State and of War, and other public Ofiicei*s 
joined in the train. 



RESOLUTION 

OF *tHB 

UmOX PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY^ 

OF 

DICKINSON COLLEGE, 

SATURDAY, JAJ^ VARY 5, 1822. 



Resolved Unanimously ^ 

Whereas, the Union Philosophical Society of 
Dickiiison College, deeply laments the premature 
dta.bot its distinguished member, Colonel WHliam 
A Trimble late a Senator of the United States, from 
ti e Stcite of Ohio, and is desirous of testifying its 
respc ct for his memory : 

Therefore, 

Itesolved^ 1 hat Mr. James Hamilton, H. M. of 
the Union Philosophical Society, be requested to 
deliver an EULOGIUM on the deceased, at the 
meeiing of vhis Society, in Dickinson College, on 
the first Saturday of February next, when and 
\vh«re the Honorary members are invited to attend. 



EITLOGTUM. 




fELlOW MEMBERS, 

^h^.T.f " ^''^"'"S to pay the last parting 

ber, a virtuous citizen, and a brave soWier Th * 

W^'h 1^ u r ' ""' bright career ! No r 

VV h,le ove of counti^- aniniates^n American bo' 
som-wh,le the precepts of our fathers are che" iS' 

us &sUn,ons—\in\xii wiil be revered anrl P ,7 
ism Honored, and re^erea, and t^atriot- 

" A^ •''= 'We of ages roll away, 

« Snail charm the »orld unconscious of decay." 

BonapartnS:L",e?cIi;irti? 
vass, and sculptured marble in k *'i'^g'""'"g can- 
down to ages yet to co' e ^nH .•"'^ '^''"" "-'P'°"« 
not as the hcalZt^, ' ^?'? "'"^°"s V^t unborn; 

destroyers of the h "' '"'"'""^' f^"' '•^th^r as th^ 
0} ot the human race. Their laurels have 



( 6.) 

been stained in the blood of thousands — their foot- 
steps marked by the ruin of nations, and their names 
emblazoned ii) the annals of Fame, by the iiery pen 
of Desolation ! 

It is only where bravery is tempered by virtue — 
vrhere the atchievenients of the warrior are tlie oflF- 
spring of patriotism — where the deeds of the Hero 
are in defence of the oppressed, or in the cause 
of liberty, that the object becomes not only worthy 
of acrown ofimmortaJitv, but of the love fe venera- 
lion of an admirins: posteritv. 

The deeds of the Patriot, are cnOTaved on the 
hearts of his countrymen — Ms notne embrdmcd in 
the affections of his fellow citizens, and his monu- 
ment reared in a nations love, a nations tears, and a 
nations gratitude ! He, slew not for the sake of 
slaying — he, laid not vraste, for the pleasure of des- 
troying — he, carried not the desolating torch to ihe 
peaceful hamlet, in the hope that its ruin \^ould add 
one G-em more to l^iis wreath of alorv-he, counted not 
[he liumber of liis victories as the measure of Ins 
fame, nor tlie Countries he had depopulated as tlie 
Extent of Ills renown — His pride was, to be useful 
to his country— his hope, to contribute to her pros- 
perity — 



<' His Talisman the sword — his spell word Liberty. 



i> 



He stood as a rock on the plam, in the way of the 
invader — *' He was a storm in war, but mild v.hcn 
the foe was low — his arm was stretched forth to ihe 
unhapp)^ — the lightning of his sword was roiuid 
tlie weak." His counsel, his actions, his strenuous 
exeruons had but one object, one direction, the 
welmre of his fellow m.en, tiie hcipplness of his fellow 
citizens. Such was our Washington — such our 
Franklin. Let Time do her utmost, let the tide of 
emigration pass the rocky barriers of the west — let 



(7) 

States " unborn, and accents yet unknov;n," rise 
throughout our boundless forests — let the sails of 
commerce enhven the rohing wave? of the river 
Cohu-nbia — and let s^ilded spires and domes desiir- 
nate the proud depots of wealth, on the shores of 
the Paciiic, yet will these names be cherished with 
gratitude, and their virtues shine through the lapse 
of time, as the rising sun breaks through the clouds 
of the morning ! Nor will the memory of Pike, 
Covington, Lawrence, Burrov/s or Trimble, be for- 
gotten or neglected. Brave men 1 "The last liba- 
tion Liberty drew," was from your hearts, which 
'*Bled and broke in her cause !" Cold is the bo- 
som, which docs not glow, at the mention of your 
names; and hard is the heart, which does not sym- 
pathize with your untimely flite ! 

The late Col. William Allen Triir.ble, was born 
in Woodford county, Kentucky, on the 4th of April, 
1786. His parents Vv-ere both Virginians, & were a- 
mong the earliest setders of that country. He re- 
ceived his' education at Transylvania University, the 
seat of our sister society, and which then gave a 
promise of that literary eminence, vv^iichit has since 
attained. After he had completed his studies at 
College, he turned his attention to the profession of 
the Law, a pursuit well calculated to elicit genius, 
and pave tiie way to the honours of liis country. 
In these studies he spent some time at Litchfield, 
Con. and acquired a knowledge of the leading fea- 
tures of our Republican system; in which, beau- 
ty of symmetry and grandeur of design, ahke char- 
acterize the temple of Liberty ! Where the states 
* of our confederation, like the planets of our system, 
move round one common centre, in perfect harmo- 
ny, and tuned to the common good ! Where all 
power IS inherent in the people, emanates from them, 
and after revolving in its sphere, returns to the 



(8) 

soufce from whence it sprung. Where the majesty 
of the laws defines the rights, and protects the pro- 
perty of every*individuaL It was in these studies, 
so well calculated to expand the mind, and prepare 
it for future usefulness, Col. Trimble spent the 
first year after his return to Ohio, and admittance to 
the bar. His prospects as a lawyer were bright and 
flattering. At this period, the aggressions of 
foreign potentates, compelled our country to the 
last resort of injured nations. We reluctantly un- 
sheathed the sword, and unfurled the banner oi war! 
It was a trying time, and likely to test the stability 
of our Republican Institutions ; our vessel of state 
had hitherto floated on a calm and tranquil sea, only 
impeded by the little ripples of party politics ; but 
now the red and dusky clouds of war blackened our 
horizon, and our ship was to encounter the raging 
billows of a stormy sea. Some of our best and wisest 
men feared the result. Many doubted, whether our 
national government was vested with those powers & 
resources, necessary to preserve the bond of our Un- 
ion unbroken, & carry us successfully thro' a contest, 
with one of the most powerful nations of Europe : 
A nation, whose arms had triumphed in the most 
distant portions of the Globe, and whose Meteor 
Flag, according to her poets boastful Song, had 
stood a thousand years, *nhe battle and the breeze " 
An appeal was made to American patriotism — nor 
was the appeal in vain. Military science became 
the study of the day — our regular army was increas- 
ed — our fortifications repaired, and our brave youth 
eagerly enrolled themselves under the Star Spangled 
Banner, anxious to support the rights, and maintain 
the honour of our rising Republic ! 

The late Col. Wm. A. Trimble took a lead in 
thus early devoting himself to the service of his 
country ! With the rank of Major, & at the head of 



1 



(9; 

the 2d battalion of Ohio Volunteers, he hastened to 
the scene of action, eager to prove his devotion in 
the cause of Liberty, and earn the crown of laurel, 
the reward of the victor. But how short sighted is 
man, while he gazes on the varied hues of the rain- 
bow, it fades before his sight ! W hen he would 
clasp the bright visions of the morning, they melt 
into liquid air I— ^- So proved the flattering dreams of 
our youthful soldier. His hopes, and those of ma- 
ny a brave man, were blighted in the bud, by the 
cowardice of his general. Would that I could 
draw the curtains of darkness around events, which 
disgrace the page of our history, " Thiit oblivions 
endless night, with thickest shades, might veil them 
from our sight.'* 

A gallant little band of Volunteers, who had fol- 
lowed Hull, encountering every peril and privation, 
through a long march in the desert wild, were sur- 
rendered up, without a struggle ! — a brave little ar- 
my, who had been dr^jwn out in martial array, and 
stood ready with the matches in their hands, to give 
the enemy a deadly reception, were drdered by their 
commander to stack their arms, and consider them- 
selves prisoners of war ! The mortification and 
rage of our troops — the disappointment of the na- 
tion — may more readily be conceived than expres- 
sed ! It was some time before Ivl ajor Trimble was 
exchanged, and he, in the mean time, closely and 
diligently pursued the acquisition ot military knowl- 
edge, so essential to distinction in the army or navy» 
But his ardent spirit could not remain inactive — 
His parole of honor, forbade not his taking the field 
against the hostile Indian tribes, who infest our fron- 
tier, and he embraced the opportunity of marching 
under his brother. Col. Allen Trmible, against the 
Pottowaiimie villages, in w^hich expedition, with 

B 



( 10) 

the rank of adjutant, he proved himself an active and' 
efiicient officer. 

He received, without solicitation, the commis- 
sion of major, in the 26th Regiment, United Slates 
Infantry, and listened, as soon as exchanged, to our 
northern frontier, the scene of war, again to try his 
fortune in the field of Mars ! 

The battles of Chippawa and Niagara, had reviv- 
ed the hopes of the nation, and infused new confi- 
dence into our troops ; but Gen. Drummond 
advanced to the assault of Fort Erie, (at the head of 
^\t^ thousand men) burning to retrieve the honor of 
the Red Flag, and by some signal atchievement re- 
vive the drooping spirits of his beaten troops. Gen. 
Gaines commanded at that post, whose new and 
badly constructed fortifications, afibrded but little 
prospect of a successful defence, except in the brave- 
ry and gallantry of the garrison. 

A cannonade was opened from the enemies bat- 
teries, on the 7th of August, and its increased acti- 
vity, Oil the night of the 14th, convinced the gar- 
rison of an immediate assault. As the British ad- 
vaiiced. a shell exploded some cartridges, within the 
American works, and the enemy believing it to be 
the great magazine of the Fort, raised the cry of 
victorv : but thev were soon convinced of their 
mistake, by a shout of defiance, and the peal of our 
great guns ! The British assaulted in three columns. 
The first vv as received with a shower of grape from 
Col. Towson and his brave Artillery, which com- 
pelled them to retreat with heavy loss. The second 
met a similar reception, and discomfiture from the 
gallant New < York and Pennsylvania volunteers: 
But tne third, commanded by Col. Drummond in 
person yjid composed of 800 select men, was not 
so easily defeated. VJaj. T- imble with his Battalion 
ofLiiuiUr>, supported by Major limdmaiVs Artil- 



( 11) 

iery, was posted in the Fort, to receive them. 
Twice they advanced with determined courage, 
and twice they were driven back, with dreadful 
carnage! The darkness of the night was increased 
by the thick volumes of roUing smoke, and only 
occasionally illuminated, by flashes of the mus- 
ketry, and the fiery volumes that issued from the 
cannons mouth. Enveloped in this shroud of 
darkness, the foe moved round the ditch, and made 
a third attempt, mounting the parapet with scaling 
ladders, and bayoneting our brave Artillerists., they 
succeeded in making a lodgm.ent in the bastion. 
Every foot was disputed — every inch contested. It 
was at this time, the inhuman order of Col: Drum- 
mond, *' To give no quarter," was distinctly heard, 
amidst the shouts of the warriors, the cries of the 
wounded, and the roar of the Artillery ! At length 
a dreadful explosion, like the thunder of Heaven, 
shook the earth, rent the bastion to its centre, and 
hurled part of it and its combatants in one fiery whirl- 
wind into the air ! 

The British thus repulsed, with a loss of nearly 
one thousand men, ir.ade preparati ns for a long and 
persevering siege but in this they Vvcre b fHed by 
the memorable sortie of the ITth of September, in 
Avhich our late worthy member, Col. (then Major) 
Trimble's conduct is noticed by the commander 
in chief, as worthy of applause. 

Gen. Brown, who had recovered from his wounds, 
and returned to the command, planned the desU'uc- 
tion of the enemies cannon and batteries, on the 
preservation of which the success of the siege de- 
pended. 

Gen. Porter, with his volunteers by an able 
march through the wood, first assaulted the enemy 
on the right flank ; while two columns under Gen. 
INIiller, and Col. Aspinwall (under whom ]\^jor 
Trimble marched) stormed the enemies batteries in 



( 12) 

front ; the fight was desperately maintained by the 
British regQ srs, who were unwilling again to yield 
the laurels of Talavera, to the soldiers of our Re- 
public. Col Aspinwall in assaiUng the first line 
lost his arm by a cannon ball, and the command de* 
voJved on Major Trimble, w^ho, at the head of his 
troops gallantly rushed forward, and sword in hand, 
carried the enemies battery, No. 2, and spiked their 
cannon. Not content with this atchievement he 
pursued the retreating foe, who being reinforced, re- 
lieve ed the fight with desperate valour. Maj. Trim- 
ble maintained his ground, against deadly odds. 
Bayonet was interlocked with bayonet — and man 
with man ! * Steel clanging rang on steel^ — Blood 
burst and smoked around!" Death in a hundred 
ludeour> forms, stalked triumphant, o'er the field, 
and laid her ccld and icv hand on manv a brave and 
eallant man ! ,CoL Gibson, Gen. Davis, and Col. 
Wood, fell like heroes at the head of their columns, 
and Mpjor Trimlile, w^iile animating his men by 
words and actions, to deeds of gallantry, was shot 
throiigli tliebody — He fell, weltering in his gore ! 

Victor}' crowned our arms ! The batteries were 
successfau) stormed-The cbjccts of the sortie fully 
atiairiCd Lut the triumph was dearly bought, since it 
cost us so r lany precious and valuable lives. 

For a long time it was doubtful whether Major 
Trimble would ever again leave his couch, and 
when able to rise, he wjs honoured with 'a Brevet 
com mission of Colonel. But peace was soon af- 
ter ratified, and ail warlike opercitions ceased. It 
was in J 815, this society grateful to the brave 
defenders of their countries rights, and desirous of 
manifesting its esteem, for worth, talents, and vir- 
tue, embraced the upportuaity of Col. Trimble's 
passing through this place, to elect him an honorary 



(IS) 

member, and initiate him into our mystic rites. Nor 
"was his native state, forgetful of his services. She 
elected him to one of the highest offices within her 
gift ; her representative, in the Senate of the Union. 
By this selection Ohio proved her discernment of 
true worth, and refuted the charge that Republics 
are always ungrateful. By such policy, she must 
rapidly progress to that eminence she is destined to 
attain, in our national conicderation. May her star 
soon shine conspicuous in the constellation of the 
Union — May her greatness grow with her increas- 
ing population — May the chain of our friendship 
remain bright and unsullied through ages — and may 
she long have such sons as Trimble to send forth, 
whom not only his nati\'e state but our great Re- 
public delights to honor! 

In the Senate Col. Trimble supported the charac- 
ter he had sustained in the army — maintaining the 
rights of his own state, and advancing the prosperity 
of our common country. But the hand of death w. s 
upon him. The blast of war had passed over him Sc 
blighted his fair flower, which drooped its head and 
shed its leaves to every w ind ! The woundhe had re- 
ceived at Erie, like a slow poison, consumed the 
springs of life, and he sunk into the grave as the 
flickering beam deprived of its oil, gives one part- 
ing flash, and is forever hid in the shades of night ! 
It is thus Trimble thy sun has set ! The exploits 
of the Chieftain — the abilities of the Statesman — - 
the charities which dignify and adorn private life, a- 
like contributed in rendering thee an ornament to 
society, and an useful member to thy country ! It 
was thy good fortune, by a dignified deportment, 
by a correct and undeviating course, by mild and 
affable manners, to disarm that foul fiend detraction, 
and afford no pretext for the pestilential breath of 
calumny to assail, or any hold, on which envy could 
fasten her envenomed tooth. 



< U) 

He possessed 

" That pleasing happy art, 

" Which wins our love, and steals upon the heart." 

Such fellow Unions, was your laic distinguished, 
but now departed member. — Such was Colonel 
Wm. A. Trimble, for whose premature death the 
Congress of your Country has testified its respect, 
and to whose memory the Union Philosophical Soci- 
ety, has this day given a public testimonial of es- 
teem for his virtues. Rest, honoured W prrior, rest I 
Hallowed be the spot where thy ashes repose, and 
green be the turf ^vhich cloathes tli}' grave ! 

« The winter shall pass and the spring flowers bloom, 
By the banks and the groves of his own native river ; 

Wsep parent of Trimble ! He ne'er shall return ! 
By the v/avc of Potomac, he's sleeping forever. 

f< But he sleeps with the great ; and sweet be his sleep, 

And hush*d be the requiem of sorrow! 
His star has gone down, like the sun hid in storms, 

To arise in new glory to-morrow.'* 

Yes ! he has ascended from the great council of our 
nation, to the assemblage of Saints and Angels — 
He has exchanged his membership in this associa- 
tion, for the society of the blessed in heaven ! And 
if aught can console maternal aiuiction, if aught 
can soothe the sorrows of thy remaining brothers, it 
is, that thou hast died in the cradle of the nation, 
in the arms of the people, for the safety of thy coun- 
try ! 

Unions! let the streak of light he has left behind 
liim, guide you, in the course you have yet to run I 
Let his example be a pillar of fire to direct your 
steps through the walks of life! To you, fellow 
members, v/hose collegiate course is yet before 
vou, let it be an inducement to spare no exertion to 



(15) 

store your minds with the treasures of knowledge, 
while within these walls — to establish a characW 
for morality, for correctness, for learning, that when 
^cu go forth on the theatre of life, you may be an 

onor to your country, the pride of the Union Phi- 

-^^phical society, and a blessing to all around you. 

o you honorary members, who have already em- 
i .;;K:ed in Professional avocations, no remark isne- 

^ sary,your maturer judgments, and a laudable 
:b:tion, will urge you on, where honor points the 
Uiy. May your efforts be crowned with success! 
May your path be bright like Trimble's — and may 
the sweet consolation of a life well spent, soothe 
your dechning years, and like the mellow tints of 
evening when the setting sun is bright, sweeten the 
close of your departing day ! Various pursuits 
may separate us — death v/iil part us ; But there is 
a D W—a great and awful day, when we shall meet 
again! \\ hen, the great Archangel, shall shake the 
creation — Tear the strong pillars of the vault of 
Heaven — break up old marble, and summon the 
Tenants of the tombs, to join assembled worlds 1 
May we, on that day, hail the fellow member, 
whose death we now deplore, arraj'ed in light, and 
robed in glory ! may wt be able to say wdth him, 
we thank thee, O God, that we have endeavoured 
to discharge our duty while on earth — that we have 
lived to be of service to our fellow meU'— to be 
usEFVL to our beloved country ! 



'>f/ 



39 



i 



) 



>^ "cnO^ 














0- 







^ ^0 









^' ^ • o* O 







^^ ♦ o . ^ .| 



'i^v 







^°/^^%"- ./\^i^^^\ .c^.-i^;r; 








^O 




•*- 






